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What is the Salary of a NICU nurse Vs. Labor and Delivery Nurse?
I’m Currently a 17 year old CNA, and I’m between studying for a NICU nurse or a Delivery Nurse. I do know I want to work with babies , but not specifically yet.
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Charanpreet’s Answer
Hello Valeria
When you mention being caught between studying labor and delivery nursing and NICU nursing, what do you mean by that?
Your salary will be influenced by your state and the cost of living, making this a crucial factor in your earnings. Typically, labor and delivery (L&D) nurses have higher salaries compared to medical-surgical (med-surg) nurses, especially in Northern California, where compensation is generally elevated. In Southern California, starting salaries can range from $38 to $42 per hour, depending on the hospital. If you work for Kaiser, you could earn over $50 or even $60 per hour.
If you're currently in nursing school, it's important to note that your training will involve clinical rotations across various specialties, not just OBGYN.
If you aim to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse, you will discover how to get there while in school. After finishing your foundational coursework and passing the state exam to enroll in nursing school, you will start clinical rotations each semester. Many students find that their interests shift after experiencing different specialties, while others discover a deep commitment to their initial preferences.
Upon graduating from nursing school, you'll need to pass the NCLEX exam. From there, you will have the opportunity to apply for roles in labor and delivery, NICU, or postnatal care.
Your journey starts now, and every step you take in nursing school will guide you toward the right specialty for you!
When you mention being caught between studying labor and delivery nursing and NICU nursing, what do you mean by that?
Your salary will be influenced by your state and the cost of living, making this a crucial factor in your earnings. Typically, labor and delivery (L&D) nurses have higher salaries compared to medical-surgical (med-surg) nurses, especially in Northern California, where compensation is generally elevated. In Southern California, starting salaries can range from $38 to $42 per hour, depending on the hospital. If you work for Kaiser, you could earn over $50 or even $60 per hour.
If you're currently in nursing school, it's important to note that your training will involve clinical rotations across various specialties, not just OBGYN.
If you aim to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse, you will discover how to get there while in school. After finishing your foundational coursework and passing the state exam to enroll in nursing school, you will start clinical rotations each semester. Many students find that their interests shift after experiencing different specialties, while others discover a deep commitment to their initial preferences.
Upon graduating from nursing school, you'll need to pass the NCLEX exam. From there, you will have the opportunity to apply for roles in labor and delivery, NICU, or postnatal care.
Your journey starts now, and every step you take in nursing school will guide you toward the right specialty for you!
Updated
Lindsey’s Answer
Hi Valeria,
The salary will likely not differ by much between the two departments. Some places it may, but from my experience in the Midwest, the department you work in does not affect your salary. If you know you want to work with babies, nicu or post partum would be the best departments for you. L&D is focused more on the mother and once the baby is delivered, it will go to postpartum after a couple hours (at least in bigger hospitals). If you already know what area of nursing you want to work in, the schooling is still the same. You have clinicals in each area of nursing, which often helps when picking a department to work in after graduation. So when it comes to picking a department based on salary, there will likely not be big difference between the units.
The salary will likely not differ by much between the two departments. Some places it may, but from my experience in the Midwest, the department you work in does not affect your salary. If you know you want to work with babies, nicu or post partum would be the best departments for you. L&D is focused more on the mother and once the baby is delivered, it will go to postpartum after a couple hours (at least in bigger hospitals). If you already know what area of nursing you want to work in, the schooling is still the same. You have clinicals in each area of nursing, which often helps when picking a department to work in after graduation. So when it comes to picking a department based on salary, there will likely not be big difference between the units.
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Valeria!
If you know you want to work with babies you may want to consider the Postpartum/Mother Baby unit or the NICU. Labor & Delivery (L&D) nurses generally take care of mom until delivery, and then after delivery they care for mom & baby for about 2 hours. Then they transfer them to the Mother Baby unit. This unit gets a lot more hands on care with newborns, as well as the NICU.
Salary will generally be the same for either of the positions within the same hospital, but some hospitals pay more than others. It just depends.
Good luck!
If you know you want to work with babies you may want to consider the Postpartum/Mother Baby unit or the NICU. Labor & Delivery (L&D) nurses generally take care of mom until delivery, and then after delivery they care for mom & baby for about 2 hours. Then they transfer them to the Mother Baby unit. This unit gets a lot more hands on care with newborns, as well as the NICU.
Salary will generally be the same for either of the positions within the same hospital, but some hospitals pay more than others. It just depends.
Good luck!